The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-07-07

fcR Me-"
in ole Virglnny, aud given to Martha to
hand her master for the post. 1t was our
last glimpse OF old Martha.
The next morning the neighborhood was
in blaze Of excitement. Andy, the Kirbys'
coachman, and old Martha had decamped.
How or when they had escaped none knew,
but it was fair to suppose that they were
already safely sheltered on the Kansas
shore. The aggravation seemed greater
from the fact that the Kirby servants were
exceptionally well treated, and regarded
with family affection. A currant bush that
stood by the wicket between our house and
theirs was found to have some thing white
fluttering among the leaves. IL was the
letter which my sister had written the night
before, and which old Martha, in her haste
and excitement had dropped before she
reached her masters house. Then the full
storm of wrath was turned upon us. Enter
ing my fathers office, Richard Kirby de
nounced our whole family for conspiring to
assist runaway negroes. Enraged at my
sisters refusal OF his hand and feeling that
it was through my fathers influence, he was
eager TO provoke quarrel, Drawing his
bowie knife, weapon with which all Mis-
sourians were then armed. fearful tragedy
would have been enacted but for the inter-
ference of the bystanders. Thwarted in
this, he strobe through the crowd that had
gathered muttering vengeance. The fol-
lowing day he was enrolled upon the list
that sent so many martyrs 10 the lost cause.
A company Of men were already drilling
in an open lot on the outskirts Of the town,
without, as yet, any regularly appointed
officers. When 1t was known that Richard
Kirby had enlisted, shout went up "Our
Captain, our Captainl" He was received
with demonstrations of joy, aud when he
counseled an immediate departure to join
the forces OF Price, they gave the widest
cheers.
1t was decided that upon the arrival OF
the next boat this newly organized COM
pany OF raw recruits would embark, with
Richard Kirby as first officer He knew
the sullen indignation with which this
move would be regarded by every Union
man, and he gloried in it, but had he
| known with what a throe of anguish this
news was received by ny sister Jane. his
impetuous nature would have forgiven all
the past, and he again would have been the
suppliant lover.
| NY sister wentabOut the house with eyes
strained towards the distant hills for the
| first white wrea,h of smoke which should
herald the approach OF the coming steamer.
There was always an uncertainty of some
hours regarding the arrival of these West
ern vehicles OF travel and | knew by the
white, tense closing of her lips. that the sus.
pense was more dreadful than the first
shock had been. Finally, upon the clear
monday air the shrill whistle sounded
The little village was alive in an instant
| The levee was crowded with men, women
and children, while the negroes stole sur
reptitious chances around the corners oil
fences and corn-crbs The boat rounded t
| the shore as the company went marching
down the single street, with its red ant
white silken banner, the work OF fair rebe
hands, floating in the sunshine Men o.
pronounced Union sentiments were con
spicuous by their absence, and strang'
quiet was over all. We stood upon bluff
which commanded view OF the who'll
scene, although knowing that our figures
would be thrown in silhouette against thu
clear sky as background. My sister,
pride came to her aid and she made no moan
| think she had felt that Richard would re
lent at the last, and send her some token o
reconciliation, he did not. In anticipa
ton Of this she had formed rosette OF re'
and white ribbons, which, with long floatjni